Written by:  Carrie Kubacki, Interim Family Living Educator, Langlade County UW-Extension

May is Mental Health Month, and Mental Health America is using this opportunity to raise awareness about the connection between physical health and mental health (Fitness #4Mind4Body).  Mental health is essential to everyone’s overall well-being, and mental illnesses are common and are treatable.  By taking steps to incorporate a healthy lifestyle on a daily basis, we can work toward improving and maintaining both physical and emotional health.

The 2018 Mental Health Month campaign is meant to educate individuals and families about how eating healthy foods, managing stress, exercising and getting enough sleep can help to promote a healthy life.  Research has shown that taking these important steps can help to prevent the onset or worsening of physical and mental health conditions.  As well, these steps can play a big role in helping people to recover from medical conditions, including depression, anxiety, diabetes and other chronic health problems.

The Langlade County Suicide Prevention Coalition is helping to promote the mind-body connection in mental health by having a display at the Antigo Public Library for the month of May.  Resources are available to help individuals and families incorporate a healthy lifestyle into every day.

For more information about Mental Health Month, visit www.mentalhealthamerica.net/may.